January's General Meeting

( (Pictured Above L to R: Marieta Vasileva, Amanda Hurst, and Lauren Holden)

The meeting in January was a highly productive one for the Rotaract Club of Las Vegas! On Sunday January 25th, the Rotaract Club had several great moments happen. First and foremost, the Rotaract Club of Las Vegas was very happy to induct four new members. Lauren Holden, Valentina Vasileva, Marieta Vasileva, and Erica Kemper are the four newest members in the Rotaract Club! Each member received a membership certificate and a copy of the 4-way Test.

In addition to the many upcoming service events the Rotaract Club has in store, the Rotaract Club was fortunate enough to have their founding President Michael Gordon as a guest speaker. Michael shared some of his experiences as a GSE and Ambassadorial Scholar. He also talked to the club about public speaking. Those in attendance were asked to give a minute and a half impromptu speech on various topics! The club did a GREAT job without having previously practice their speeches. In honor of Michael's speaking engagment, the club presented him with a ceritifcate of appreciation. This mentions that a contribution to polio plus has been made in honor of Michael.

(Pictured Above L to R: Hope presenting the banner to Amanda Hurst)

The Club was also very fortunate to receive a banner from our inbound Cultural Exchange Scholar Hope. She comes from Taiwan and is in America to better her English skills until March. The meeting also brought in a flag presentation from the United States troops! Karen Whisenhunt presented an America flag that was flown in Iraq in honor of the Rotaract Club of Las Vegas during the summer.

Winter Works

Over the course of the winter months, the Rotaract Club has been busy! In November, they donated a check to the Rotary International for Polio research. On November 12, 2008, the club presented a $300 check to the District Governor Gene Hernandez. The money goes towards the funding and research of polio in an effort to completely eradicate the world of polio.
Additionally, the club had their first holiday party, hosted by Maureen Mckinley. Some of the members got together to have some dinner and enjoy one another's company before the winter holidays.


On December 4th, 2008 the group took place in the annual Santa Clothes sponsored by local Rotary clubs. This is a special event that lets kids from at-risk schools go 1-on-1 shopping with volunteers. The kids get a budget of $133. The kids are all so grateful and have a blast getting to shop on Rotary's dime. It is a truly humbling experience for everyone who participates.

The last set of wheelchairs was donated to the Salvation Army and Disabled American Vets on the first Friday of December. This was the second time that the club was able to donate wheelchairs to a local Las Vegas organization.